Campus News
Leadership
We are always proud of our Castlefield alumni, but some days we are just a little prouder, such as days like Senior School Leadership announcements, when our Castlefield students, your children, after years of training, are awarded Senior Leadership positions. We have a history of nurturing great leaders.
The 2022 School captains, Angus Angelatos and Victoria Paitaridis, were our Middle School Captains in 2018.
Freddie Arnhold and Emma Morris were our Middle School captains in 2020 and finished their Haileybury journey as School Captain and Vice Captain respectively.
In 2021, Kayla Johnston and Monty Wright were Middle School Captains and in 2025 held positions of Senior School Vice Captains, along with 24 other Castlefield students named as part of the 2025 School leadership team.
The 2026 School Captains for Haileybury are George and Isabelle , who both held leadership positions in their final year of Middle School at Castlefield. Twenty-five other students who came through Castlefield have been named as leaders of Haileybury in 2026. You may ask, is there something in the water at Castlefield or is it the fostering of essential skills and cultivating of kindness, inclusion, hard work and trying new things that see our students develop their leadership abilities? At Castlefield we believe in leadership through service and leading with our hearts. It is not the badge, the colour, the merit, or the recognition that matters, it is in the actions we take that really count.
We commence leadership training in Year 3, because leadership is a skill which can be taught, nurtured, experienced and developed. In Year 4, this may be running an assembly, sharing an idea, and testing it nervously with an audience.
Middle School welcomes leadership in a number of forms and in Year 8 this occurs across a variety of portfolios. I would like to thank Arianna Lal and Lennix Pellicano, for their leadership and dedication to the Middle School, along with each of the Year 8 students who took on responsibility in 2025.
We are excited to announce and induct our 2026 Middle school captains in the new year.
Term 1, 2026
We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. Further details will be sent out over the holidays regarding arrangements. We ask that students arrive by 8.25 am on this day and bring all the items from their booklists.
End of 2025
Our dedicated community of students, staff and parents has contributed significantly to a successful 2025 at Castlefield. I acknowledge our students for their commitment to learning, their care for others, their engagement, efforts and kindness. I am grateful to our families for their partnership in fostering an environment where students can excel, one that is both inclusive and vibrant. The professionalism, enthusiasm, expertise and dedication of our staff are highly valued, ensuring that each student receives the support and attention they deserve every day.
Please enjoy the festive season and have a safe and pleasant holiday break with your family. I look forward to our continued association in 2026.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Early Learning Centre
End of Year Celebrations
As we wrap up another wonderful year in the Early Learning Centre, our children have been busy delighting in the joy and excitement of end of year festivities. This is always a special time for our community, a chance to reflect on the growth of our children, celebrate their achievements, and enjoy the magic that the end of the year brings.
One of the highlights was our End of Year Concert. The children shone with confidence and joy as they sang and danced. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it was heart-warming to see proud smiles beaming from both the audience and the performers.
In the spirit of the season, the children also enjoyed a range of Christmas activities and class parties, from festive crafts to sharing stories and celebrating together. These celebrations remind us how important joy, connection and tradition are in the lives of young children.
Learning Journals
Our Learning Journals celebrate each child’s achievements and capture the rich and meaningful learning that has taken place throughout the year. They reflect the dedication and care of our teaching teams and highlight our ongoing commitment to your child’s learning, development and wellbeing.
These journals are not only a treasured keepsake but also serve as a valuable report to share with your family and future educators. It is especially meaningful to see the children engage with their journals, talking through their experiences and showing their strong sense of connection and belonging to the ELC.
We hope you enjoy exploring the Learning Journal with your child and revisiting the many special moments from their year of growth.
Junior School
Junior School students are living their best lives
Term 4 wrapped up impressively with a slew of excellent opportunities for our children. There was a dance gala, art show, a Scienceworks excursion, a visit to Werribee Zoo, music concerts, two athletics carnivals, Up Day, Year 2 Strings concert, a community picnic, Year 4 Graduation, Year 4 Beach Day, two swimming carnivals, Presentation Assembly, the community barbeque, class parties, and to finish it all off, our end of year Christmas Concert. A special thanks to all the staff and parents who made these events possible. Our children have certainly filled the memory bank in the run to the end of another year.
East Quad murals
Bayley Mifsud returned to Castlefield to paint murals depicting the six Boonwurrung seasons: Bullarto nye-wiiny – Plenty of Sun (December and January); Weegabil nye-wiiny – Old Man Sun (February); Garreal – Summer Rain (March); Manameet (April and May); Beerreen – No More Sun (June, July and August); Pareip – True Spring (September, October and November).
Middle School
End of year reflections
As we come to the end of another inspiring rewarding year in Middle School, we want to take a moment to acknowledge just how proud we are of every one of our students. This year has been filled with hard work, determination, curiosity and countless moments of growth. Whether through academic progress, strengthened friendships, acts of kindness, or courageous attempts at new challenges, each student has contributed to the heart and culture of our Middle School in their own unique way.
We also want to express our deep appreciation for the strong partnerships we share with our families. Supporting young people is very much a team effort, and the open communication, trust and encouragement you provide make an enormous difference. Our students thrive because of the shared commitment between home and school, and we are truly grateful for the positive, collaborative relationships that have shaped this year.
Our Celebration of Excellence was a highlight, showcasing the many achievements, big and small, that have unfolded across the year. While only some accomplishments can be formally recognised on stage, every student should walk away knowing they have grown. Their improvements, resilience, creativity and contributions to our community are what make our Middle School such a special place.
As we reflect on the year that has been, we are filled with pride and gratitude. Thank you for your support, your partnership and the trust you place in us. We look forward to another amazing year ahead, and we wish all our families a safe, restful and joyful holiday break.
Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield (HPFC)
Castlefield on the Green
The rain held off, and the oval was filled with families and students for our special end of year celebration; Castlefield on the Green. The queues for the sausage sizzle, fairy floss and popcorn were constant and a big thank you to the parent volunteers who assisted in manning these stalls. We were so pleased that Mr Whippy, Ormond Ice-Creamery and the Prosecco van could join us to offer treats to the community.
Our student performances were fun and fabulous. A big thank you to all the students who showed bravery by standing on the stage and showing their talent in front of the large crowd. Thank you also to Janine Schifman for coordinating this segment.
